Tariff relief essential to year-round availability of fresh produce and floral items
Tariff relief essential to year-round availability of fresh produce and floral items
Last week the Trump administration announced new tariff exemptions for a range of goods not produced domestically in sufficient quantities, including certain produce products.
“We welcome the Trump administration’s recognition that supporting a healthier America requires keeping fruits and vegetables affordable and available," International Fresh Produce Association said in a statement. "Today’s announcement acknowledges that easing cost pressures on items not grown domestically in sufficient supply is essential to maintaining the affordability of high-quality fresh produce products.
“For years, IFPA has emphasized that tariffs on products not produced at scale year-round could place an avoidable burden on families, limit healthy choices and disrupt the marketplace," said IFPA. "We have consistently advocated for the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers that are unscientific or not risk-based on fresh produce. Because of the seasonal and geographic nature of certain commodities, consumers and growers both benefit from fair trade in fresh produce and floral products. With that rationale, we will continue to make the case for similar exemptions extended to floral products.
"We also urge the Administration and Congress to pursue policies to keep U.S. growers competitive, particularly production-related costs and labor pressures," it said. "This will ensure consumers can obtain the nutritious foods and floral products that enrich their health, well-being, and daily lives year-round.
IFPA said it looks forward to working proactively with the Trump administration and leaders around the world on trade policies that ensure the full produce supply chain is empowered to bring consumers a consistent, reliable supply of fresh produce and floral products.
Last week’s announcement follows IFPA’s longstanding advocacy for targeted tariff relief. In March, IFPA sent a letter to administration officials urging exemptions for produce and floral products to safeguard the availability of affordable, nutritious food — an effort the association has continued to advance throughout the year.
In a related effort, IFPA and the Society of American Florists jointly urged the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce to exempt all imported cut flowers from tariffs. The Nov. 3 letter emphasized the essential role imported cut flowers play in meeting year-round consumer demand and detailed how tariffs disrupt the global floral supply chain and increase costs for U.S. businesses.
